The Aboriginal Advisory group established by the Tasmanian government to guide the state's process towards Truth-telling and Treaty has held its inaugural meeting.
The six-member group comprised of Nick Cameron, Rodney Dillon, Gypsy Draven, Dave mangenner Gough, Maxine Roughly and Theresa Sainty met to discuss the group's role, purpose and membership in addition to developing its terms of reference.
After a Welcome to Country was delivered by respected Elder Aunty Nola Hooper, the group commenced the meeting by noting the unfinished business of historical agreements made between First Nations Tasmanians and the government and pledged their commitment to work together with government on an Aboriginal-designed Truth-telling and Treaty process.
The group also discussed ways of connecting with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and the wider Tasmanian community, whilst considering options for exploring Truth-telling and Treaty in other jurisdictions and the support that may be required for it to undertake its work.
"We were provided with a brief of what other states are doing," Aboriginal Advisory group member Nick Cameron said.
"We're going to look at all those states separately, and we'll probably invite in some people from each of the states to talk to the group.
"We want to look at best practice and what worked well, but also what didn't work well in other jurisdictions."
Mr Cameron said the groups next step would then be to seek community consultation on a prospective pathway to truth-telling and treaty.
"And then we want to take that out to the community and get their feedback on what they think is the model that they would like to see," he said.
Following the meeting Tuylupa Tunapri, a Tasmanian Aboriginal community-elected delegation, questioned the meeting, citing alignment of the group's members to Aboriginal organisations and the national identity of one of the group's members.
"The advisory body is comprised of representatives of organisations and as such, does not represent or have the same views as the vast majority of the Palawa Community," Tuylupa Tunapri,'s statement read.
"We are also surprised that a proud Bundjalung woman would believe she has the right to speak on behalf of the Palawa people in our country. This not culturally appropriate and disempowers Palawa voices."
Mr Cameron rebutted Tuylupa Tunapri's suggestion that the Aboriginal Advisory group's members are representing Aboriginal community organisations whilst reaffirming the group's purpose.
"We're not representing organisations, we're representing our communities," Mr Cameron said.
"We also want to make it very clear that this this body is not negotiating Treaty. This body is just looking at and advising the government on what a potential Treaty process for Tasmania may be."
Mr Cameron defended Gypsy Draven, who is of Bundjalung heritage, as a member of the Aboriginal Advisory group.
"Gypsy is there to represent the north-west community as their spokesperson, and she will be communicating what they would like to see," Mr Cameron said.
"She won't be taking part in any negotiations on Treaty on behalf the Tasmanian Aboriginal people."
So far both Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Roger Jaensch and Premier Rockliff have not met with representatives of Tuylupa Tunapri.
Tuylupa Tunapri chair Rodney Gibbins said by declining to meet with the community-elected delegation, the government is acting in contradiction to its commitment to a community-orientated Truth-telling and Treaty process.
"We have tried to hold respectful and ongoing dialogue in good faith with Minister Roger Jaensch, who is now refusing to meet with the community voice, when the government had made a strong commitment to a community-led and community-informed process," Mr Gibbins said.
"We have also, in vain, tried to invite the Premier, Jeremy Rockliff to meet with us, who continually refers us back to Minister Jaensch and so we can only surmise he refuses to meet with us."
Mr Gibbins suggested the government's pathway to Truth-telling and Treaty process is flawed should it continue to decline to meet with Tuylupa Tunapri.
"The situation has become ridiculous. How can we be expected that Rockliff and his government's support for a Voice, and for Treaty and Truth-Telling in Tasmania, is genuine when he won't even meet with respected community members, who were elected by the Tasmanian Aboriginal community?"
"The current process has been totally controlled by Minister Jaensch, which removes any sense or practice of self-determination outcomes.
"This is a fundamental principle of Treaty, and this process is clearly in breach of the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."
Mr Gibbins said an interim solution would be for Minister Jaensch and Premier Rockliff to engage in discussion with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, beginning with Tuylupa Tunapri representatives.
"We strongly recommend for the Minister and the Premier to reconsider their position and have an open dialogue with the Palawa Community, starting with the representatives on Tuylupa Tunapri."
